Sue Espinoza

Affiliations of Computer Self-Efficacy and Attitudes with Need for Learning Computer Skills

This study investigated relationships concerning computer efficacy, attitudes toward computers, and need for learning computer skills. A total of 296 undergraduate students from a regional state university participated in this study in 1996. Three research questions were measured by Attitudes toward Computer Technologies and Confidence and Desired Knowledge with Computer Technologies. Statistical analyses consisted of simultaneous multiple regression, ANOVA and Tukeys HSD. ANOVA revealed that students from computer classes had more need for learning computing skills than students from a non-computer class. Multiple regression revealed that attitudes toward computers, and computer self-efficacy, were significant predictors of the need for learning computing skills between two groups of students, although students from computer classes demanded a higher level of computing skills than those from a non-computer class.

The icelandic educational network: incidents reported as fostering successful use of educational networks

Abstract Telecommunications have moved into the world of education, and educational networks have arisen in many countries. The Icelandic Educational Network (IEN) is one of these, and a recent study was undertaken to examine its role and its impact on the educational community in Iceland. A critical incident study was conducted to determine what activities educators felt have led to their successful use of the IEN. Participants were asked to describe two critical incidents that fostered their successful use of the IEN; 580 critical incidents reported by 290 subscribers at the IEN were analyzed. The data, recorded and presented in narrative and visual form, revealed six categories that foster successful use of the IEN, and frequency distribution charts showing the frequency of each incident are included here. Participant feedback has provided information regarding instructor training for telecommunication technology, and has indicated possible areas for inclusion in teacher education, and professional development activities

Preparing Technology-Using Teachers

AbstractThe authors have developed and are currently implementing project STEP-Tech, a program to integrate the use of technology into all courses in the professional sequence of secondary teacher education courses at a university in Texas. Preservice teachers are required to use various computer applications throughout their classes, and to continue to use these during their student teaching experience, keeping their computer products in a portfolio for future reference. The article describes how the use of computers, one of these technologies, is being integrated into the curriculum.